BEACHES

Rockaway Beach and Boardwalk

Who knew that you could surf in Queens? At Rockaway Beach, surfers have a whole section of the ocean all to themselves. Of course, there is plenty of water just for swimming, plenty of sand for sunbathing and plenty of playgrounds to occupy the kids. So, just take the A train to the shuttle and head down to Rockaway.

Manhattan Beach

Does Manhattan Beach live up to its reputation as “the cleanest beach in NYC”? Hop the B or Q train to the B1 Bus and go check it out. With playgrounds, baseball diamonds, tennis and volleyball, Manhattan Beach poises itself as a less-crowded alternative to Coney Island.

South Beach and Midland Beach

Play in the Dolphin Fountain or the Sea Turtle Fountain, walk the Boardwalk, fish at the Ocean Breeze Pier or visit the Freedom Circle war memorial. There’s even a senior park with checkerboard tables and Bocce Ball courts. And if you visit when one of the borough president’s “Back to the Beach” celebrations are taking place, you will get food and fireworks to boot.

POOLS

Riverbank State Park

For a mere $2 for adults and $1 for kids, you can swim in this gorgeous Olympic-sized pool — 69 feet above the Hudson River! Riverbank State Park is a 28-acre facility sitting on top of the North River Wastewater Treatment Plant. But with the panoramic views of the George Washington Bridge and the Jersey Palisades, you would never know it.

Asser Levy Recreation Center and Pool

If you love swimming and love “free”, the Asser Levy pool will be a big favorite…especially that it’s as clean and well-maintained as any body of water in the city. As a great extra, the nearby Asser Levy playground was built for disabled children.

The Floating Pool Lady

And for now something completely different…The “Floating Pool Lady” is a beautiful freshwater seven-lane pool on the top of a barge docked in Barretto Point Park. Take advantage of it, because the barge sails away on September 6.

Astoria Pool

This is the largest pool in NYC and has the most history. It was the site of the 1936 Olympic Trials for the U.S. Swim team. It is surprisingly clean for such a huge pool and completely free. It does have a few rules though: you have to bring a lock to secure your belongings and the pool is closed from 3 p.m. to 4.pm.